BSC

I am fairly new to this community, but time and time again, I see people asking for advice here on buying a used Porsche. Being a new "used" owner myself ('99 C2), I can say only one thing - GET THE PORSCHE PRESALE INSPECTION (PPI) DONE!!! Its about $200 and any authorized Porsche dealer should be able to do it for you. ESPECIALLY as some of these 99s and 00s run off warranty, this is the best thing you can do. Don't be cheap, don't be too smart for your own good - just do it. I unfortunately did not take the advice of EVERYONE here to get the PPI done before I bought an out of town '99 with 30k miles. I recently got the car and brought it to the dealer (after I got the car home) for the 30k check-up - and LUCKILY there are still 2 weeks on the warranty. After checking it out, the car (which I love by the way, seems to drive well, and looks great) needs a lot of major work. Wheel barring, boost spring, rear main seal, sunroof motor and some other minor things. That said, most of the work falls under warranty, so its a big relief. Supposedly, the rear main seal is a 2 day $1000+ job alone. I just want anyone considering the purcahse of a used Porsche to know just how valueable that PPI is! Happy hunting...

TurboMark

The key is a PPI done by a Porsche Dealer and not a local 'person' that does generic PPI's.

adsc4s

There are also many reputable independent Porsche shops that do a great PPI.

adsc4s

There are also many reputable independent Porsche shops that do a great PPI

TurboMark

Yes, you are correct, sorry.

However, if you get it done by a Dealer (and there are problems), you will know what is covered/not covered under warranty.

NMoore

Boost spring? Is that the old clutch pedal spring binding noise?

topdaytrader

Did you do your 30k service at Pacific Porsche?

Ghost Rider

I should point out that I asked the sales person at the Schmitt place in St. Louis about getting a PPI done and they said they don't let their cars go over to other dealers because those other dealers are just going to try and swipe their buyers from them. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> Thought I'd pass that one on...

SanDiego996

"The key is a PPI done by a Porsche Dealer and not a local 'person' that does generic PPI's"

I disagree. I recently bought a 99C2, and had it inspected at Callas Rennsport in L.A. (i'm not affiliated with them at all). I have to say that they did a FANTASTIC job with the PPI. They pointed out things that the previous owner didn't even know (and he had it inspected at a dealer the entire time). If you're in the Southern CA area, and are looking to purchase a used Porsche, I highly recommend them (www.callasrennsport.com)

Again, I am not affiliated with them in any way. I'm just a really satisfied customer.

TurboMark

Given that this thread is for future buyers, and to completely clarify, I am not against independent shops. That is where my car goes for most maintenance/repairs.

I am just saying that if you are an out of town buyer, as BSC was, the dealer is the best 'one stop shop' to assess your car and what will / will not be covered under warranty and they are less biased than the solo PPI guys who make their money being recommended over and over again by the same used / pre-owned dealers. This is not meant to say that all solo guys are biased but they cant speak for the dealer or an independent repair shop on repair costs.

Finally, I will add two important points to BSC's original post on buying.

1) Use this forum to solicit knowledge / advice on the car and the selling dealer. Clearly, 'we don't send our cars out for inspections because dealers will try to steal the buyer, etc' is ridiculous and is a VERY BAD sign.

2) Don't fall in love with a car until its’ been inspected. If you do, you will potentially overlook the red flags.

Of course, this is just my opinion.

Scott5

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by SkyMast:
<strong>2) Don't fall in love with a car until its’ been inspected. If you do, you will potentially overlook the red flags.

</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Good point SkyMast - I had a young, clearly overextended, buyer really excited about a Porsche I was selling a few years back. I, as the seller, recommended that he arrange for a PPI.

The PPI came back with some real issues; enough that the buyer should have really re-thought his position... But he didn't seem to care at all ...

Well - I agreed to sell the car, but *insisted* on knocking a few $ off our price for the guy and (yes- this was crazy) told him I'd buy it back within two weeks if he changed his mind.

Well I never heard from him again - so I guess everything worked out for the guy!

Chicago996

Doing a PPI on a used car makes sense. But this thread has got me thinking that PPI at a *GOOD* independent shop makes sense also for those who have cars that are about to run out of warranty.

I bought mine new and for what I know, there isn't a dang thing wrong with it (knock on wood). The dealer, though competent, somehow doesn't inspire my confidence when it comes to pointing out things that might be on the verge of going bye-bye unless I specifically had an issue related to that. In that light, does it not make sense to do a PPI, say when you have 500 miles or so left on your bumper-to-bumper warranty at a *GOOD* independent shop?

Thoughts??

BSC

Chicago996,

I am in the Chicago area as well. Who is your dealer right now? My car is over at Motorwerks in Barrington (Scott is the head technician). While I'll have to wait and see how all of the work comes back before I make any endorsements, the shop seems pretty decent so far. My warranty runs out in two weeks, and Scott didn't know me from Adam. I'm sure the problems my car had could have held out without telling signs for a few more months, at which time I'd have to go back to him and pay for the fixes out of MY pocket. If you're worried about your car, I'd take it to these guys when you have some other things to be done (Oil, brakes, etc) and ask them to really look the car over. If you need a 30k, then that would be an even better juncture to ask for the complete check over.

Chicago996

BSC, I had another dealer but lately have moved to Motorwerks as well. Scott seems knowledgable enough. Like you, I don't know enough to know that these guys will help find out those things that are on the cusp of going wrong or point out things that I haven't noticed. My only contact with them so far has been an oil change at $130!

Tezta

Just out of curiosity, can the porsche dealer lie about the condition of a car? are they liable for the information given on the PPI of a car?